GMA names her senatorial bets

PHILIPPINE NEWS SERVICE — President Macapagal-Arroyo urged candidates in the May elections to focus on the future as she proclaimed the senatorial bets of the administration coalition at the first national convention of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino, the party she founded when she first thought of running for president in the 1998 elections.

The slate included Sultan Jamalul Kiram of Sulu who was given the 12th and last slot.

“The May elections are about the future, not the past. The elections will be about new ideas, not old complaints, about fighting for a modern nation, not just about fighting,” the President said.

Mrs. Arroyo called on her partymates to support “each and every one of our candidates for senator,” a slate composed not only of her political allies but erstwhile critics.

She made a pitch for all the candidates, citing their respective campaign slogans.